Welcome To Point North!
Hi. I’m Alastair Stephens, and I make podcasts and online content dedicated to understanding, exploring, analyzing and celebrating stories and popular culture. I have big plans — huge, giant plans —...
View ArticleWatching Marble Hornets 1: Introduction
Amongst those interested in and passionate about new-media storytelling, Marble Hornets is already legendary. It began in 2009 as a low-key YouTube horror series about an abandoned student film...
View ArticleStorm’s On The Way: An American Gods Podcast
Beginning in April, we’re going to study both the novel of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, and the upcoming TV adaptation. We’re going to begin with the novel, then cover the TV show as it airs. The live...
View ArticleWatching Marble Hornets 2: Really Tall Guy
This is the second part of a journey through Marble Hornets, a YouTube-based horror mystery series. You can find the introductory post here. Let’s get started, shall we? As I mentioned in the first...
View ArticleElves, Sir! #TABAgain T-shirt Now Available!
For the next twenty-four hours, you can buy a limited-edition There And Back Again shirt featuring the wise words of our very favorite hobbit, Sam Gamgee!
View ArticleWatching Marble Hornets 3: ToTheArk
This is the third part of a journey through Marble Hornets, a YouTube-based horror mystery series. You can find the introductory post here. Last time, we were introduced to our narrator, Jay, his...
View ArticleDear Mr. Potter: Prisoner Of Azkaban Schedule
This summer, we finally return to Hogwarts in the third season of Dear Mr. Potter. In Harry’s third year, he will face old enemies and the bloodthirsty desire for revenge, begin unlocking the secrets...
View ArticleHow To Write A Novel Synopsis
Writing a novel in 2017 requires you to be a jack of all trades. Writing the actual book? Check. Mastering social media? Check. Understanding the landscape of traditional and independent publishing?...
View ArticleStory And Star Wars: Livetweet Marathon
On Saturday, August 12th, we’re spending a whole day in a galaxy far, far away with the first Point North Livetweet Marathon: the entire Star Wars saga! Join me live using the hashtag #SASW, and share...
View ArticleAnnouncing The Narrative Beat
Back in January of 2015, I started a podcast called The Journeyman Writer, dedicated to writing advice and guidance for writers who focus on the work. I produced 235 episodes of that show, and learned...
View ArticleNew Class: Breaking The Frame
Announcing a brand-new Point North class studying the visual art of cinematic storytelling. Registration is open now!
View ArticleSchedule Updates
As those of you who joined me live know, Tuesday’s episode of Dear Mr. Potter came to an unceremonious and premature end due to internet problems. Unfortunately, those problems have persisted, and...
View ArticlePoint North Media Live Broadcasts: Now On Crowdcast!
Since I started running live seminars in October of 2014, I’ve used YouTube as a broadcast platform. Unfortunately, as my shows have become more popular and more ambitious — and as YouTube itself has...
View ArticleThis Week On Point North: November 13th 2017
This week, we wrap up our conversations about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy in Dear Mr. Potter and the Point North Book Club respectively — including...
View Article[Class Announcement] Between Worlds: Exploring Folklore, Faerie and Fantasy
In a brand-new six week class, we're going to study the history and evolution of Faerie and fairy-folk, from Sir Orfeo to Game of Thrones and The Little Mermaid!
View ArticleThis Week On Point North: November 20th 2017
This week, we begin two new book discussions: in Dear Mr. Potter, we take a break from the world of wizards presented by JK Rowling to discuss Ursula K Le Guin’s seminal fantasy series A Wizard of...
View ArticleThis Week On Point North: November 27th 2017
This week, we get to the heart of the matter in our Dear Mr. Potter discussion of A Wizard of Earthsea, and follow Ged to Wizard School; then, in There and Back Again, we delve into Helm’s Deep and...
View ArticleThis Week On Point North: December 4th 2017
This week, Ged leaves wizard school behind and meddles in the affairs of dragons in our Dear Mr. Potter discussion of A Wizard of Earthsea; then, in There and Back Again, we march to Isengard and are...
View ArticleThis Week On Point North: January 8th
This week, we celebrate found family as Harry returns to the Burrow in chapters four, five and six of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Dear Mr. Potter; then, in There and Back Again, we continue...
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